Saturday 1 May 2010

Burnee links for Saturday

I've neglected the links, so here's an update of sorts:

Jack of Kent: The Catholic Church And The Criminal Law
If and when Pope Benny visits Britain (or, for that matter, anywhere outside the Vatican), he'll have some explaining to do.

The pope is not above the law. - By Christopher Hitchens - Slate Magazine
I don't know who is advising the Vatican in the matter of paedophilia, or whether the advice, if any, is being acted upon. What I do know is that the papacy appears about to self-destruct. (Appearances, however, can be deceptive.)

Malaysian Custody Dispute Lost Between Courts - NYTimes.com
There's an assumption in this article that is barely mentioned, let alone questioned. The religious "conversion" of a child is in no way equivalent to the religious conversion of an adult. Especially, as seems here, if the child doesn't know it's happened.

Richard Carrier Blogs: Defining the Supernatural
Lengthy examination of the differences between materialism, naturalism, supernaturalism and scientific testability. Carrier appears to agree with Dawkins that the existence of God is indeed a scientific question.
(Via Martin's comment on manicstreetpreacher.)

Michael Ruse: The Catholic Church: Why Richard Dawkins Was Right and I Was Wrong
The Catholic Church is doomed! Doomed I say! Pope Benny is losing respect everywhere — a fact of which he seems oblivious.

We can't let the Roman Catholic Church judge its own cases. - By Christopher Hitchens - Slate Magazine
If Pope Benny thinks he can brazen out this whole sordid (and long-standing) affair, and still visit Britain in September, he might have another think coming.

The pope should stand trial | Richard Dawkins | Comment is free | guardian.co.uk
If proof were ever needed that morality doesn't come from God....

Heaven: A fool's paradise - Faith, Opinion - The Independent
Heaven's just a sin away (of course, you have to believe in sin). Johann Hari questions the basis for this enduring modern delusion.

Catholic priorities : Pharyngula
PZ Myers despairs of his local Archbishop, who has written a piece decrying gay marriage, claiming (as Catholics do) that marriage can only be between one man and one woman. PZ is not having it:
Two men, two women, a man and a woman, a cooperative commune of many men and women…they can all serve that public purpose. Oh, and in all those cases, who is having sex with whom is pretty much irrelevant to the children, since these typically are not Catholic Sunday schools, so the children won't be participating in the sex.
Judge rejects ‘irrational’ idea that Christianity deserves special protection from law - Times Online
Lord Justice Laws' ruling is a breath of fresh air.